Tribal Relations Program Manager (Government Relations Specialist Iii)

The Office of Government Relations seeks to hire a Tribal Relations Program Manager (Government Relations Specialist III). The position will work to advance Portland's government-to-Government Relationships with sovereign tribes, and build relationships with the urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities. This work seeks to be mutually beneficial to tribes, the community, and to the City and will inform Portland's programs, policies, and decision-making to create a welcoming and inclusive city.
This position will also help guide the future of the City's work with sovereign tribes and the urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities as the City of Portland completes the charter reform process.
The work will advance the City's core values of Anti-Racism, Equity, Transparency, Communication, Collaboration, and Fiscal Responsibility.
As the Tribal Relations Program Manager (Government Relations Specialist III), you will:

• Support and advise city officials and staff in establishing meaningful relationships with interested sovereign tribal governments.
• Act as the primary representative of the City in relationships with sovereign tribal governments.
• Advise city officials and staff on tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs, and traditions, to facilitate successful relations with Tribal governments.
• Provide analysis to decision makers to inform decision-making that is culturally grounded, inclusive, and informed by knowledge of potential impact on sovereign tribes and urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities.
• Engage city leadership in the development of an inclusive process to guide the future of the City's work with sovereign tribes and the urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities as the City of Portland completes the charter reform process.
• Convene and internal program advisory team to support a process of engagement and collaboration with sovereign tribes and the urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities; and develop a strategic vision for the city's work with sovereign tribes and the urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities.
• Coordinate with the Office of Government Relations to seek alignment and leverage the City of Portland's voice in support of sovereign tribes and urban American Indian, Alaska Native community needs.
• Lead efforts to evaluate past practices, current community needs and interest, engage community in planning and hosting an event that engages sovereign tribes and their allies to network, foster relationships, educate, and learn, and share promising practices for community and government to work together in serving Native people.
• Identify priority projects to engage and coordinate with sovereign tribes and urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities in major city-led projects and city policy decisions and service delivery.
• Promote educational opportunities for City Council and City staff that highlight the extensive diversity of sovereign tribes and urban American Indian, Alaska Native communities.
• Advise the City on opportunities to engage with appropriate intertribal organizations in ways that benefit the City of Portland and our local urban indigenous and tribal communities.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with regional governmental partners.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with bureau staff across the City to create efficient avenues to advance the programs work and ensure outcomes are aligned with core City values.
• Develop and manage staff positions to assist in the implementation of this work.

The Office of Government Relations values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization. We encourage candidates with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. The Office Government Relations offers an excellent benefits package, flexible work schedules, and support for training and skills development.
Studies have shown that women, non-binary people, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications listed. The Office of Government Relations considers lived experience and transferrable skills as qualifying unless an item is labeled as required. We are most interested in finding the best candidates for the job, and that candidate may be one whose education and technical training comes from a background that does not align with Western/colonial backgrounds. We encourage you to apply.
There will be an information session to discuss the details of this position on February 7, 2024. To join, please visit the link at the bottom of this announcement.
Note: This position currently reports to the Office of Government Relations Director. The City Council adopted language as part of the City's new organizational structure that outlines a path forward for the Tribal Relations program which reads: "The Office of Government Relations (OGR) has been working internally with city leaders to identify the best path forward for the Tribal Relations Program. Looking ahead, grounded in the City's commitment to indigenous and tribal communities, OGR and future city leaders will work to embed the Tribal Relations Program within the administrative office structure separate from OGR and maintain one government-to-Government Relations-focused position on the OGR team."
City of Portland Core Values: Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.
Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in ALL people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
Work Location
This position is hybrid in-person/remote, with the option of full-time in-person. The in-person work location is at City Hall (1221 SW 4th Avenue).Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training, and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Knowledge of tribal histories, treaties, self-governance, tribal sovereignty, and tribal governance.
2. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations and court decisions relating to federal Indian policy, historic and cultural resources, treaties, natural resources, and tribal consultation including related laws and regulations.
3. Knowledge of local and regional tribal issues and political landscape, as well as urban Native issues.
4. Ability to apply knowledge critically, creatively, and proactively to identify City programs, operations, and policies that would benefit from tribal government and urban Native community involvement, as well as how enhancing tribal and urban Native relationships can benefit City goals.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials and their staff, the public, bureau leadership and staff, intergovernmental and other agency staff, and others encountered in the course of work.
6. Ability to collaborate with communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities; communicate cross culturally.

Training and Experience
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, public policy, or a related field; AND
Six (6) years' experience in legislative analysis or intergovernmental affairs; OR
Any equivalent education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position's duties and responsibilities as stated in the above minimum qualifications.
Desired, but not required qualifications:

• Experience working with sovereign tribal governments.
• Experience managing communications in a political environment.
• Ability to navigate sensitive political environments.
• Knowledge of conflict resolution and coalition building.

Applicants must submit a professional resume and responses to the supplemental questions online, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:

• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, as identified below, please describe in your responses to the supplemental questions and resume any transferrable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the "To Qualify" section above.

All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.